Hawaiian time for Mayor Newsom: History and tips

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has surprised many in the city by beating a retreat to Hawai’i, where his wife and baby daughter were already on vacation, with no warning. But it can’t be a surprise that Hawai’i would be his escape of choice, considering:

Newsom got engaged to Jennifer Siebel while in the islands nearly two years ago, so it’s a romantic getaway;

Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s parents, Ken and Judy Siebel, have a house in Hawai’i (apparently on the Big Island, judging by phone listings), so it could be an inexpensive visit;

Mayor Newsom reportedly owns a small percentage of the 4,400-acre Hana Ranch, on sale for the last year for a mere $65 million, so it might even be a tax-deductible trip.

An aerial view of Hana Ranch, of which Mayor Gavin Newsom is said to own a 1 percent interest.

Of course, the last time he dashed off to Hawai’i, in 2007, it was shortly after the big Cosco Busan oil spill in the bay, causing some criticism from the Board of Supervisors. But the twice-elected mayor’s got good company among his former gubernatorial challengers in going to Hawai’i when the going gets tough: According to a Sept. 30, 2009, article on TheStreet.com:

“At eBay in 2006, while the stock dropped and the Skype merger was a mess, [Meg] Whitman flew to Hawaii and other locales on a private jet paid for from the shareholders’ bank account.”

Maybe Whitman was flying to visit EBay founder Pierre Omidyar, a Punahou alum (like President Obama) who moved back to his home state in 2006. Omidyar and wife Pam, who also grew up in the islands, just donated $50 million to the Hawaii Community Foundation, among other acts of philanthropy.

California’s current governor is also no stranger to Hawai’i. In 2004, a few months after taking office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger saved a man from drowning in the waves off the Four Seasons Maui, where he was on vacation with his family (and not for the first time).

In any case, the most compelling reason for Newsom to be in Hawai’i is it’s Hawai’i: warm, lovely, laid-back — and a five-hour nonstop flight from SFO. And since he’s catching some flak for the trip, he may as well make the most of it. Assuming he’s on the Big Island, here are some tips:

Listen to live Hawaiian music. He can hear talented musicians at every resort and at many restaurants, but since he didn’t get to see the full Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom concert at the Castro Theatre in 2007 (during a more successful campaign), Newsom and family should check her out at the Moku o Keawe International Festival Hō’ike Night Nov. 8 at the Queens Garden, Waikoloa Bowl. First-rate Hawaiian mele under the stars … divine.

Enjoy a special dinner one night.If he’s missing the Michelin-starred food and service of his hometown, the elaborate, island-inspired preparations at the elegant Monette’s (in the renovated Mauna Kea Beach Hotel) might strike Newsom as exceptional. Patrons who walk down to the beach afterwards a might spy manta rays cruising for plankton off a rocky point. Or keep it low-key: The intimate Mi’s Italian Bistro (808-323-3880) on the highway in Kealakekua is run by former Four Seasons sous chef Morgan Starr and his wife, Ingrid Chan, who hosts and waits tables (often toting their baby daughter in a sling, so you know little Montana Tessa Newsom would be welcome). The fresh pasta (made with flour Starr mills himself), risotto and polenta dishes are delicious and priced below typical resort menus. You’re not paying for a beach view here.

Stroll a farmers’ market. As a restaurateur and sustainability supporter, the mayor might appreciate the wealth of local agriculture on the island of Hawai’i — and at the least, come home with the makings of an awesome salad. The Saturday morning Keauhou Farmers Market includes live music, Kona coffee, orchids, macadamia nuts and baked goods, in addition to fresh produce and other items. Click here for a link to Big Island markets.

Sample Kona coffee at its source. Billed as Hawai’i’s oldest food festival, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is conveniently set to start Nov. 6, with parades, tastings, exhibits and contests through Nov. 15. Maybe the Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll, in which art galleries host tastings of three dozen Kona estate coffees, can give Newsom some new ideas for revitalizing the Mid-Market Street area.

Spend time at the beach. With sunscreen, of course, and plenty of fluids on hand (but no hair gel, please). The Big Island has the unfair reputation of having few beaches, but — like some of San Francisco’s secret strands — some of the best are just a little harder to get to. On a weekday (to avoid local crowds), head to Kua Bay at the northern end of Kekaha Kai State Park for one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the state.